Valspar and EnChroma show what seeing colour for the first time feels like

What seeing colour for the first time looks like: A touching film by FCB Chicago about the experience of four individuals with colour blindness.

- Rhia Chohan

With the internet going into meltdown over the colour confusion of *that* dress, we’re all questioning the way we see colour. Colour can be at once both powerful and empowering. It can reflect one's personal style, make a statement and evoke distinct emotional reactions. The visual impact of colour is incomparable. Yet, 300 million people around the world are colour blind, unable to distinguish colours, in particular red and green.

With a mission to bring colour to those who don't have it and to remind those who do to appreciate it, Valspar paint, a company that stands for colour, has launched "Color for All." Through a partnership with EnChroma, a manufacturer of colour blindness correcting glasses, Valspar is gifting this special eyewear to a number of colour blind individuals while raising awareness about colour's impact on our lives.

The #ColorForAll initiative is anchored by a short documentary directed by John X Carey, from Tool, that shares personal stories from four colour blind individuals and their reactions to experiencing colour for the first time.

“The four-minute documentary is about what happened when we help these people experience color for the first time,” says directing duo, Gustavo & Gabriel. “We hope you like it! We've put a lot of love into it”

FCB Chicago's touching film shows one woman, Atlee, brought to tears as she sees hues on a wall that she’s never experienced before. Her colour blindness was discovered in kindergarten when she was drawing her flowers brown, oceans black and skies purple.

Another man, Andrew, is able to appreciate his children’s colourful doodles for the first time. Until now, he could never see make-up on women. Through EnChroma’s lenses, Andrew also exclaims his excitement at seeing a sunset: “Is that would you guys see everyday?!”

"As a company deeply rooted in color, Valspar believes that everyone deserves to see and appreciate the experience that color brings to life," said Joel Wasserman, Director of Brand Integration at Valspar. "Most people don't know what it's like to live in a muted world. We're dedicated to making a change for the better and igniting a conversation around the impact of color."

The website allows visitors to explore the stories of colour blind individuals further.

24 March 2015

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